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Friday, 25 February 2011

To me, London Fashion Week means supporting younger designers and emerging talents, that's what makes LFW so special to me. But once in a while, it's nice to go to one of the big ticket, impossible to get into shows. That's why I was over the moon to attend the notorious PPQ show this season. I received amazing front row tickets courtesy of Glacéau vitaminwater who are the official soft drink supplier to London Fashion Week. Front row means mostly unobstructed pictures, so enjoy.

I was also given five minutes with Amy and Percy, the designers behind PPQ! Huge thanks Vitaminwater. Here's how the interview went:

Reena:Congratulations on another fantastic collection. What inspired you this season?

PPQ:We were really inspired by history, in particular the Elizabethan and Jacobean eras.

Reena:I absolutely loved the 90s hiphop soundtrack but it didn't seem to be an obvious connection with the collection. Are you heavily inspired by music?

PPQ:Yes, definitely. We loved the way it juxtaposed with the ladylike collection. Reena:Internationally, London is a bit of a wildcard with some editors skipping the first couple of days of LFW. What do you think of the London fashion scene?

PPQ:London is a hub for young people who lead fashion. It's the centre of street style, this is where it began. Everyone helps and supports you when you're new and trying to progess.

Reena:What do you see in the future for PPQ?

PPQ:We want to continue ranges and collaborations with other people and definitely want to open another store in London.

Glacéau vitaminwater is the official soft drink supplier to London Fashion Week – keeping fashionistas hydrated all week long.

Wednesday, 23 February 2011

Last season, I was blown away by Ashley Isham's ethereal goddess gown so I was very much looking forward to seeing the AW11 collection. The chaos and hordes of people outside the show was a precursor for the dramatic collection that awaited. The theme of the collection was 'Enchanted forest' and I couldn't pick anyone more suitable to design darkly romantic and glamourous dresses for mystical woodland nymphs.

Surprisingly, the show opened with shorter dresses with a floral forest print. The form fitting silhouette and sexy cut out details ensured that the glamour Ashley brings to longer gowns was not lost. Ashley also included plenty of the show-stopping gowns he's renowned for in murky purple-blues as well as brighter purples and red with metal embellished details and his signature twisting and draping. Metallic fabrics also featured heavily, contrasting with soft, sheer tulle and lace.